• Toolkit
  • Kōpū
  • FernMark
  • Stories
  • Events
  • About
    • Our Story Our story is grounded in our values – it’s who we are, what we stand for and what we offer the world.
    • Our People Meet the team bringing our unique New Zealand stories to life to enhance our global reputation.
    • Our Board Our board provides governance over our strategy and oversees organisational performance.
    • Our Māori Advisory Group Our Māori Advisory Group provides guidance on protocols, language and content development to ensure that New Zealand’s storytelling reflects and connects to Te Ao Māori with authenticity.
    • News Read the latest news, case studies and media updates from New Zealand Story.
News 22 Sep 2015

Introducing the FernMark Licence Programme

By Rebecca Smith


There’s been a lot of talk about the New Zealand silver fern recently – and with good reason. It’s an internationally recognised icon that instantly talks to ‘New Zealandness’. That’s why we’re launching the New Zealand FernMark Licence Programme – a new way for New Zealand businesses to promote their products overseas. 

What is the FernMark Licence Programme? 

The FernMark Licence Programme is an integral part of the New Zealand Story initiative. It gives exporters the opportunity to carry a tangible and recognisable mark of ‘New Zealandness’ – another significant asset in the unified and collective marketing approach delivered by New Zealand Story. 

The FernMark talks to the three core values that New Zealand businesses have in common: our Integrity, our Resourcefulness, and our genuine care of people and place as Kaitiaki; all contributing to the Mana and strong global reputation the FernMark carries.

How can a FernMark licence help your business? 

Promotion: Becoming a FernMark Licensee will help you take advantage of our exceptional global reputation. By carrying the FernMark you will have formal recognition from the New Zealand Government that your product is inherently connected to NZ. It’s the ultimate endorsement, a new way to promote your business, which can be particularly helpful when entering new markets. It will also guide international consumers toward products that are made of New Zealand. 

Protection: Protecting our reputation is an important part of the FernMark Licence Programme. Licenses will only be granted to genuinely New Zealand businesses with great New Zealand products. We also fiercely protect the use of the FernMark - currently registered as a trademark in 14 of our key export markets, giving you an added layer of legal protection against misuse. 

The FernMark also makes use of the latest technology by including an Augmented Reality code to strengthen our story by creating a virtual stage we can shine on. By scanning the code, people can verify that the product scanned is authorised to carry the FernMark. This will limit non-authorised use and bring overseas visitors on a virtual journey to our shores so they can better understand our New Zealand Story. 

It’s easy to apply

There is a simple online process to apply for a FernMark Licence, which includes a quick calculator that lets you check if you’re eligible. 

The New Zealand FernMark Licence Programme is another way to tell our New Zealand Story. Displaying the FernMark tells the world that your products are endorsed by an entire country. And we like to think it’s the best country in the world. 

  • Apply Now

See more News
Share / Return to top

You may also like


Case Studies

Justin Soong – the space to think creatively


Case Studies

Dan Liu – encouraging innovation at every step


Case Studies

Orion Health: New Zealand technology reimagining the healthcare experience


See all News

About Us

  • Our Story
  • Our People
  • Our Board
  • News
  • Contact Us
  • FAQ's

Connected with

  • enz.govt.nz
  • mfat.govt.nz
  • mpi.govt.nz
  • nzte.govt.nz
  • tpk.govt.nz
  • tourismnewzealand.com

Stay connected with us. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news, updates and resources

  • 2023 © New Zealand Story
  • Privacy Statement
Press enter to search

For visual assets and marketing resources, Search our toolkit